Sunday, December 30, 2012

Since I've got my mission call my life , life has got even busier than it usually was. I've waited for this moment my whole life and I am so excited that it's finally happening. I can honestly say I'm deff nervous and lil over whelmed. I am Going straight to the mtc in Guatemala and basically being emerged in Spanish . It'll be good but ya I am nervous! I feel like I have so much to do in so little time. I will be sending my visa stuff tomorrow so hopefully that all goes well. I have been studying for about an hour or so a day. Usually 30 min in my mission prep manual and preach my gospel and 30min reading the Book of Mormon . Even though I'm doin this, I still feel over whelmed I mean it's probably normal but ay I'm still nervous !Now there is something that I haven't mentioned till now because I tried not to think about it till it came up. 5 years ago I was diagnosed with hydronephrosis or what they call a UPJ blockage. What it is basically is a mild blockage in my kidney . I have been to doctors appointments every year to check to see if it has worsened. This past year's exam showed that it had indeed gotten worse and I was advised to have surgery. Since I have been home I have consulted with my specialist to see what to do about the surgery. I am going to undergo some tests to see of the surgery can wait till after my mission. Tomorrow morning I am going in for one of my final tests to see of I do need surgery or if It can wait till after my mission. I am praying and hoping that it can wait. Additional prayers would be appreciated ! :) I love you all and will keep you updated on what will happen nextp.s -Thanks to everyone for the Love and Support that has been given! It really does mean alot."It isn’t as bad as you sometimes think it is. It all works out. Don’t worry. I say that to myself every morning. It will all work out. If you do your best, it will all work out. Put your trust in God, and move forward with faith and confidence in the future. The Lord will not forsake us. He will not forsake us. … If we will put our trust in Him, if we will pray to Him, if we will live worthy of His blessings, He will hear our prayers." - Gordon B. Hinckley

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Ya know, everything has come down to this moment. In a way i wasnt prepared at all but at the same time i was. My call came in on friday Dec 14th. All week i had been waiting for it. My bishop had gotten a call saying that it was sent out and that it could come anyday. I've been dreaming of this moment ever since i was a little girl. I would text my dad every morning asking to get the mail & to see if my call was there but he would always say " no sorry my hija" I was for sure on thursday it would come, but it didnt. i was a little upset cause i wanted to be with my friends along with my family when i opened it. I knew that i couldn't open it friday cause all of my family back in New Hampshire was working. So what ended up happening was that i had to wait till Saturday and i opened it right when i got home from College.

As i flew on the plane all that was going through my mind was "where am i going" Temple square and boise idaho kept crossing my mind and then it it was Belgium or Poland or somewhere in South america. Then i thought maybe central america but i was like nawwww they wouldnt send me there! My best friend is over there!

When i got home i ran and set everything up. I uploaded the livestream and called people on skype and on the cellphones we had. I think i had about 55 people on live stream, 4 on phones, 2 on skype, and i forget how many people were there , it was mostly my cousins and my mom and dad!

When i was opening my call i was shaking so bad! so many things were going through my mind! I legit thought i was gonna pass out! I couldnt believe I got called to the GUATEMALA, GUATEMALA CITY NORTH MISSION! I report to the Guatemala MTC on March 6th! i didnt even know they had an MTC in Guatemala! It is so crazy i cant believe i am going there! Funny thing is that my best friend Jose is basically in the mission right next to mine! He's a lil south of where i'll be serving but still he's right next to me! I'll be speaking spanish , so i better start learning! Alot is going on at the moment! i gotta get my visa stuff goin and i have to put in my acceptance letter! On top of that i'm going back to work, still unpacking, gotta buy stuff for my mission, and some other things that i will update once i get more info on it. I just wanted to update this and Tell everyone how grateful I am that i get to share this experience with you! I'm thankful for everyone who watched on live stream it really meant alot! i'll try to get a video uploaded so everyone who didnt get to watch it can see! i'll try to update soon once everything calms down a lil bit! but i have 78 DAYS till I enter the MTC! I CANT WAITT :)

Thursday, December 6, 2012

So as my previous post said, my papers are officially in! I seriously can not believe that this is finally happening! I have waited all my life for this moment and it's actually here! :)

Today, probably hit me the hardest with the realization that my mission call could come any day now. On Thursdays is usually when mission calls are decided *( or so i've been told) In a week it should arrive at my Home address back in New Hampshire. I'm grateful for all support you guys have given me and for the Love that i've felt throughout this whole process!!.
Lets back up to yesterday, and let me tell you about an expirence that i had. I go to a Missionary Preparation class on wednesday nights. I have the privaledge to be taught by newly returned mission presidents, who are so amazing btw! I always go to class eager to learn and that class i was quite humbled. It seemed that every question that I answered was either "wrong" or "not quite right". But then it hit me that i was the only one really participating. it also hit me that i was going to have to do this on the mission. I have to put myself out of my confort zone to Give the message of the Gospel. I've never been shy about saying i was a Mormon or that what we believe.On the mission i will be put in situations that i am not use to. I will look dumb and confused at times. I'm deff certain of that. I know the Church is true and thats all that matters though . I am trying to bring what i belive to be the Truth that Christ offers , and also the Peace, joy, and blessings it brings. I am not trying to shove any religion in anyones face. I am and never was about that. I will be real with people and i know that Where ever i am called, thats where i'll be needed. It's my personality and the way that i am that will lead me to the success that will come if i put the effort in. Tonight was amazing as well. Some of the best roommates i've had here at college got their mission calls tonight! I got to their place early to catch up and to share their excitment with them. I got to hold both of their mission calls as they were setting everything up. As i was holding them i was like " oh gosh mine is coming next week!" it was hard to contain my excitment but i was excited for them more than anything. Kasie got her mission call to the Reno, Nevada mission English speaking. April got called to the Toronto, Canada mission English Speaking. I am so proud of them and their example that they set. Some of my Other good friends got their mission call as well! My friend Megan is going to Provo,Utah mission Spanish Speaking, and Stefano is going to the Belgium Netherlands mission Spanish speaking! The people they serve are deff getting some of the best missionaries ever!

This waiting is taking a toll on me but it's so worth it! At the moment it looks more like i will be opening my call at my house. For those of you who would like to attend please just let me know I would love for all of you to be there! If you cannot make it and would like to be on a conference call or skype let me know too! :) I get home next Saturday the 15th and most likey i will be opening it the second I walk inside my house! Cant wait till next week! :)

About Me

My Name is Janina Lopez-Carrasco :) I'm a 20 year old studying Pre-Med at BYU-Idaho. I just finished my 3rd year of school and i'm putting that on hold to Serve a mission for my church. I'm a mormon, I know it i live it, i love it. I have been called to serve a mission in the Guatemala City North mission. I seriously Cant wait! :) This blog is my journey before, during, and after the mission. Enjoy! ♥

Alma 26:6
Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever.